This is a great illustration of the decadence of that Marquis de Sade’s work. The costumes and the decors are great, and the story is a compelling one, but the acitng is over-the-top in such a way that it is laughable. I always found Franco’s work entertaining, but it sure is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Rating: «««
Nine-year-old Richard Lestrange and
seven-year-old Emmeline Lestrange find themselves shipwrecked on a South Pacific
island with the ship’s cook for only adult supervision. Soon, the former cook
dies, leaving the two kids to fend for themselves. As they hit puberty and
discover their own bodies and each other’s, Richard and Emmeline fall in love,
start a relationship and bear a child.
I remember that, when I was a kid, this film was considered to be a naughty one by my older relatives. Looking at it now close to the age of 50, I must say that it is pretty tame. It was meant to entice, but it merely teases, as much of everything is hidden away. Considering Brooke Shields’ age at the time, though, I guess it is better that way.
The visuals of the scenery are majestic, no doubt about that. Unfortunately, the bad acting and the extremely unrealistic storytelling makes this film tough to enjoy by today’s standards. It was cool to have a blast from the past for a moment, but this did not age well.
Rating: ««
Eddie Adams is high school dropout
still living with his parents in Torrance, California. While working as a
dishwasher in a Reseda nightclub, he is spotted by porn filmmaker Jack Horner.
With his natural good looks and the perfect physical attributes for the job,
Eddie becomes a massive star in the porn industry, under the assumed name of
Dirk Diggler. His fame brings him money and everything he could ever desire,
but the fall from grace comes quick enough as the adulation goes to his head,
while drugs affect his senses.
This is a great film, and it was so nice to revisit it so many years later. With a great cast, compelling characters, and effective storytelling, it is hard to find faults in this one. All things considered, this is one of these movies that I could watch again and again.
Rating: «««««
This is an older comedy special by
comic Louis C.K.. Here, he discusses the single life, dumb thoughts, parenthood,
cell phones, flying on planes and much more. I love Louis C.K.’s comedy. He has
a weird and off-beat way of looking at things, and I dig it. This particular
show is no exception. It started and ended strong. There was a lull in the middle,
but, overall, very entertaining.
Rating: ««««
Lee Harker is a young
FBI agent who is tasked to help solve the case of a series of murder-suicides
that have been happening for decades within families in the
Oregon area. An occultist is suspected to be involved in the crimes without
being present at the scene, and the case brings Lee Harker back to her own
childhood.
First off, kudos to Nicolas Cage for the comeback role. He is amazing here. He is almost unrecognizable at first. Maika Monroe is also very good. Osgood Perkins was also very efficient in creating an atmosphere that surrounds you and never lets you out until the movie is done.
The only fault I can find here is in the promotion. Many sold this film as the scariest thing ever made. I mean, it is creepy and very entertaining. But, the scariest thing ever made? Not so much.
Rating: ««««
Joseph Smith is an
ex-soldier still traumatized about what he survived in Afghanistan. Now an
alcoholic living the homeless life in London, he squats an apartment he knows
to be unoccupied for a few months. He befriends a young nun who was good to
him, offering him food. He starts to work for the organized crime, to get some
money to provide to his ex-wife and his daughter. He also seeks revenge on a
businessman who kills prostitutes.
This movie offers a good deal of thrilling action, but it still has a lot more substance, story-wise, than most Jason Statham cinematic vehicles. Nonetheless, there seems to be a lack of focus to bring this one to the next level. It is entertaining, but it could have been so much better.
Rating: «««
This film is based on the memoir of the same name published in 1978 by Ingebord Day, under the pen name of Elizabeth McNeil.
The magic of this erotic drama cashes in largely on the amazing on-screen chemistry between Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Erotic films dealing with S & M have sort of become in fashion, in the last few years, but, unlike many others, 9 ½ Weeks has a compelling story dealing with characters that are believable. You can see them as real people and not caricatures. Kudos to the actors for pulling that off and to the filmmakers for bringing it out of them.
And that striptease to the music of Joe Cocker will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Rating: ««««
